Takakeishō Takanobu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Takakeishō Mitsunobu)
Takakeishō Takanobu
景勝けいしょう 貴信きしん
Takakeishō in 2018
Personal information
BornTakanobu Satō
(1996-08-05) August 5, 1996 (age 27)
Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight165 kg (364 lb; 26.0 st)
Career
StableTakanohanaTokiwayama
Current ranksee below
DebutSeptember 2014
Highest rankŌzeki (May, 2019)
Championships4 (Makuuchi)
1 (Jūryō)
1 (Makushita)
1 (Jonidan)
1 (Jonokuchi)
Special Prizes3 Outstanding Performance
2 Fighting Spirit
2 Technique
Gold Stars3
Harumafuji 2
Kisenosato 1
* Up to date as of 28 August 2023.

Takakeishō Takanobu (景勝けいしょう 貴信きしん, born August 5, 1996) as Takanobu Satō (Japanese: 佐藤さとう 貴信たかのぶ, Hepburn: Satō Takanobu) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ashiya, Hyōgo. He made his professional debut in September 2014, and reached the highest makuuchi division in January 2017 after 14 tournaments. He won his first championship in the top division in November 2018, four years after his debut. Takakeishō wrestles for Tokiwayama stable, and his highest rank has been ōzeki, which he first reached in May 2019. He has earned seven special prizes and three gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He won his second championship in November 2020, his third one in January 2023, and his fourth one in September 2023.

Early life and sumo experience[edit]

Satō's given name of Takanobu was derived from the name of yokozuna Takanohana, who would eventually become his stablemaster. Growing up in Ashiya, Hyōgo,[1] Satō competed in full-contact karate in early primary school, and was runner up for the championship in a national competition. However, his father was determined that his son would become a sumo wrestler, and in Satō's third year he began participating sumo at a local dojo. After primary school, he entered Hotoku Gakuen Junior High School, known for its sumo program. In his third year there he won a national championship and took the title of junior high school yokozuna, or grand champion.[1]

Encouraged by his father to eat hamburgers and French fries, his weight increased from 30 kilos in the third grade to 80 kilos by sixth grade.[2] He then moved to eastern Japan and entered the private high school Saitama Sakae, which had an athletics course. During his time at Saitama Sakae, Satō won two successive championships, the Kantō regional high school sumo tournament and the National Junior Sumo Tournament, wrestling in the free weight category. In total Satō won 10 national titles in his high school years. In his third year, he was also champion in the free weight category of the World Junior Sumo Tournament held in Taiwan.[3]

Career[edit]

Takakeishō in 2017

Satō was quite eager to join the professional sumo world, so after high school, he decided to forego university in favour of competing in national sumo tournaments (which would have given him a chance to later gain makushita tsukedashi status) and quickly joined Takanohana stable.[4] Though it is common practice for wrestlers to take on a ring name upon entering this particular stable, he chose to use his real name. Because of his strong desire to join the professional ranks as quickly as possible, he participated in maezumo (preliminary sumo tryouts) in September 2014 while still a high school student, a very rare occurrence. His coach, the former yokozuna Takanohana, made an arrangement with Sato's high school that he would continue to attend school when not participating in official tournaments. Later news reports however stated that he had dropped out of high school.

Satō officially entered the sumo ring as a professional rikishi in November 2014, and in his debut won the lowest division, or jonokuchi, championship with a perfect 7–0 record.[5] He added on another championship, again with a perfect 7–0 record in his next tournament in the next highest division jonidan. In the following March tournament in Osaka, competing in the sandanme division, he finally lost his first bout on the third day, ending his successive win record at 15 bouts. In the following May 2015 tournament, in the makushita division, he had a perfect 6–0 record up until his last bout, but he lost this one to the future Takaryū, who took the championship. This happened again two tournaments later, where he chalked up another six wins in his first six bouts, only to lose to veteran Azumaryū. This was still a good enough record to compete in an eight-man playoff. He defeated two opponents to make it to the final round, but then lost the last round for the championship to future sekitori Chiyoshōma.[6] In the following November 2015 tournament after winning three bouts in a row, he lost his next four and got his first make-koshi or losing tournament. He would bounce back two tournaments later, in March of the following year, winning all of his bouts and defeating former sekitori Ōiwato [ja] in his final bout to clinch his first makushita championship. This was a decisive championship that would, in the next tournament, propel him into the salaried ranks of jūryō.

In his first jūryō tournament he became only the sixth wrestler in history, and the first ever in his teens to win eight consecutive bouts (a kachi-koshi) in his debut. He however went on to lose four bouts and ended with an 11–4 record for that May 2016 tournament. He spent the next few tournaments rising steadily up the ranks of jūryō recording only one make-koshi, his second up to that point. This culminated in his fourth tournament in jūryō where he chalked up a 12–3 record in the ultra-competitive upper ranks of this division and earned his first championship as a salaried wrestler. In January 2017, he was promoted to the top flight makuuchi division. On this occasion he chose to adopt the ring name Takakeishō Mitsunobu. The first character in his shikona surname comes from the first character in the shikona of his stablemaster, Takanohana, and the second two characters are taken from the given name of the Japanese historical figure, Kagekatsu Uesugi.[7]

In Takakeishō's top division debut he only managed a 7–8 record.[6] However, he followed up with eleven wins against four losses in the March 2017 tournament and was awarded his first special prize, for Fighting Spirit. Another 11–4 record in May saw him promoted to maegashira 1, but he struggled at his new rank and recorded only five wins in July. Ranked at maegashira 5 in September 2017, he earned his first kinboshi or victory over a yokozuna by defeating Harumafuji,[8] who went on to win the tournament. Takakeishō was awarded the Outstanding Performance Prize on the final day. In November he again recorded eleven wins, earning two further kinboshi with victories over Harumafuji and Kisenosato and receiving a second consecutive prize for Outstanding Performance.[9]

In January 2018 Takakeisho made his san'yaku debut at komusubi, the first member of Takanohana stable to reach this rank since his stablemaster established the stable in February 2004.[10] He fell short with a 5–10 record, and withdrew from the following tournament in March with only three wins due to pain in his right ankle.[1] He returned to the komusubi rank in September 2018 and secured a winning record. Shortly after this tournament his stable was dissolved and he moved to Chiganoura stable, now renamed Tokiwayama stable.[1]

First tournament championship and ōzeki promotion[edit]

The 2018 Kyushu tournament in November saw many withdrawals due to injury (kyūjō). Neither yokozuna Hakuhō nor yokozuna Kakuryū competed. Komusubi Kaisei also withdrew from contention with an injury. Takakeishō started the tournament well going undefeated the first six days including wins over yokozuna Kisenosato on Day 1, and ōzeki Gōeidō on Day 2. He suffered his first loss on Day 7 to sekiwake Mitakeumi. He then proceeded to win the next six days including a win over ōzeki Tochinoshin on Day 9, before suffering his second loss to ōzeki Takayasu on Day 14, with the result that both rikishi entered the final day tied with two losses each. Takakeishō won his final bout against Nishikigi, ensuring that he was either assured victory or a playoff with Takayasu if the ōzeki won his final bout. But instead Takakeishō watched as the same wrestler who handed him his first loss, Mitakeumi, guaranteed him his first top division championship by defeating Takayasu in the final bout. With just 26 career tournaments under his belt this victory tied him with yokozuna Akebono for fourth fastest all time from debut to winning a top division championship. At 22 years of age he was the sixth youngest top division championship winner since the six tournaments per year system began in 1958.[11] The win also meant that Takakeishō has won championships in all but the sandanme division in his career.

Takakeisho original Ozeki tegata (handprint & signature)

Takakeishō followed up with an 11–4 record in January 2019, winning the Technique Prize. This gave him a record of 33 wins over the last three tournaments, but he was not promoted to ōzeki due to a combination of his failure to win more than nine victories in September, and his one-sided loss to ōzeki Gōeidō on the final day.[12] In March he entered the penultimate day with a record of 9-4, including wins over Kakuryū and Takayasu, but was quickly defeated by Ichinojō. On the final day he was matched against Tochinoshin who needed a win to preserve his ōzeki rank. Takakeisho dominated the bout and pushed his opponent out to win by oshi-dashi.[13] Reports in Japan declared it a certainty that he would be promoted to ōzeki,[14] and at a press conference in Higashiōsaka he spoke of his relief at earning promotion after missing out in January.[15] The Sumo Association made the ōzeki promotion official on 27 March 2019, and delivered the news to Takakeishō at a press conference in Osaka.[16] "I will respect the bushidō spirit," he said in his acceptance speech, "and be thoughtful and thankful at all times while devoting myself to the way of the sumo."[16] After his promotion ceremony, Takakeishō thanked his parents Kazuya and Junko Sato for supporting him, and promised to repay them through sumo.[17] He said that reaching the rank of ōzeki is "a childhood dream," but that "there's a higher rank in the banzuke."[17] He made ōzeki in 28 tournaments after his professional debut, which is the sixth fastest rise since the six-tournament a year system was established in 1958. At 22 years and seven months he was also the ninth youngest to be promoted to ōzeki.[18]

Ōzeki career[edit]

Takakeishō withdrew on the fifth day of his debut ōzeki tournament in May 2019 due to a right knee injury,[19] only to return to the tournament on Day 8 and fight one more bout before pulling out again the following day after damaging ligaments in the same knee. He became the first ōzeki since 15-day tournaments began in 1949 to withdraw from a tournament twice.[20] On 4 July it was announced that Takakeisho's injury had not fully healed and that he would not compete in that month's upcoming Nagoya tournament, meaning that he would drop back to sekiwake in September. His stablemaster, former Takamisugi Takakatsu commented "He's still young with his future ahead of him. Had he wrestled... there was a big possibility his condition could worsen. If your legs go, you have to give up your sumo career. If his leg heals, he can come back stronger".[21]

On Day 12 of the September tournament, Takakeishō earned his tenth win against Myōgiryū, securing his promotion back to ōzeki for the upcoming November tournament.[22] He entered the final day on 11-3, tied for the lead with Okinoumi and Mitakeumi. He quickly defeated Okinoumi and then entered a play-off against Mitakeumi, whom he had already defeated on day 8. After a strong tachi-ai he retreated and went for a pull-down win but was forced out by his opponent.[23] He suffered a left pectoral muscle strain during the tachi-ai, requiring six weeks of rest.[24] He resumed light training on October 11,[25] and got through the November 2019 Kyushu tournament with a 9–6 record, losing the last match of the tournament to Hakuhō in a bout lasting over a minute. Hakuhō commented that Takakeishō was "just the harbinger of strong young wrestlers yet to come who will represent the sumo world well."[26]

Takakeishō finished the January 2020 basho with a record of 11-4. He entered the final day of the March tournament with a record of 7-7 but lost to Asanoyama. A kadoban ōzeki in the next tournament in July 2020, he secured a winning record of eight wins on Day 11 to retain his rank, but then withdrew from the remainder of the tournament to rest a medial collateral ligament injury in his left leg.[27] He then came back strong in September, finishing as the runner-up to Shōdai with a 12–3 record, his first runner-up performance as an ōzeki.[28]

The November 2020 basho started without both yokozuna and with two ōzeki withdrawing in the first five days, leaving Takakeishō as the only remaining ōzeki in the tournament and the highest ranked in the field. After winning his first eight matches in a row, he faced Terunofuji on the final day, while leading the tournament with a 13-1 record. Although he lost that match, the two faced off again in a playoff, which Takakeishō won to earn his second top division championship, his first as an ōzeki.[29] Takakeishō also had the most wins in 2020 out of any wrestler, with 51.[30]

Takakeishō had been aiming for promotion to yokozuna in the January 2021 tournament, but the opportunity was all but gone after losing his first four matches.[31] After just two wins in nine days, he withdrew on day 10 as a result of an ankle injury.[32] Facing demotion from his rank in the March tournament, he secured a 10-5 winning record, allowing him to stay an ozeki. He was runner-up to Terunofuji in the May tournament with a 12–3 record, defeating Terunofuji in their regulation match on the final day but losing to him in the subsequent playoff.[33]

Takakeishō withdrew from the July 2021 tournament after suffering a neck injury in his Day 2 match against Ichinojō. The injury required one month of recovery time, according to officials.[34] Upon his return in September he lost his first three matches, and would have lost his ōzeki rank had he withdrawn again.[35] He managed an 8–7 record, and performed better in November, finishing runner-up to Terunofuji on 12–3.[36]

Takakeishō pulled out of the January 2022 tournament on the fourth day after he sprained his right ankle in his loss to Ura the day before.[37] It was Takakeishō's eighth career kyūjō,[37] and the March 2022 basho was his fifth tournament in kadoban status. He preserved his ōzeki rank by securing his eighth win on the 11th day of the March tournament against Kotonowaka.[38]

Following a further 8-7 record in the March tournament, Takakeishō achieved three consecutive double-digit winning scores in the July, September and November basho, finishing as joint runner-up to Ichinojō alongside yokozuna Terunofuji and losing a play-off for the November title to Abi in November. On the strength of the latter performance, he was a candidate for yokozuna promotion in the January 2023 basho, requiring a strong yusho to clinch promotion to sumo's highest rank.[39] Although Takakeisho won the tournament - his third in the top makuuchi division - head judge Sadogatake-oyakata indicated that he would not be recommended for promotion given his 12-3 final score.[40] After his victory Takakeishō spoke of the expectations on him as the only ōzeki and top competitor in the absence of Terunofuji but said "I've channeled that pressure into energy and inspiration."[41]

Takakeishō aimed for promotion to yokozuna at the March 2023 tournament in Osaka, which he regards as his home tournament coming from Hyōgo Prefecture, and where he also clinched promotion to jūryō and to ōzeki.[42] Things got off to a bad start when he lost to Tobizaru on the opening day.[43] He then suffered a left knee injury in his Day 3 victory over Shōdai.[44] He reportedly sought medical treatment after the injury, and the next day his left knee was taped up in the dohyō.[45] Entering Day 6 with two losses, he was defeated by Mitakeumi, further aggravating his knee injury.[44] Takakeishō withdrew from the tournament the following day, with his stablemaster Tokiwayama (former sekiwake Takamisugi) saying that he would not return to the basho. Tokiwayama told reporters upon his ōzeki's withdrawal: "His face might not show it, but he's more frustrated than anyone."[44] With Terunofuji having withdrawn prior to the opening day, Takakeishō's departure left the grand sumo tournament with no competing yokozuna or ōzeki for the first time since the start of the Shōwa era in 1926.[46]

Before the May 2023 tournament, Takakeishō changed the first name of his shikona to his legal given name, "Takanobu".[47] He entered the tournament in Tokyo at demotion-threatened kadoban status for the sixth time in his career. Despite being plagued by injuries to both knees and in a battered state, he secured his eighth win and his Ozeki status after defeating Meisei on Day 13 by sidestepping at the tachiai. His former coach from the Saitama Sakae High School Sumo Club commented, "I could feel his mental strength and determination. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be able to compete. It's truly amazing that he secured a winning record".[48] He eventually ended up with an 8-7 record for this tournament. Takakeishō however withdrew from the July tournament citing cartilage damage in both his knees, requiring around 3 weeks' treatment. When asked about a potential return from kyūjō during the tournament, his stablemaster Tokiwayama said it was likely he would not do so. This marks the tenth time Takakeishō has forfeited a tournament (partially or fully), and the seventh time he has had to return to competition in a kadoban situation.[49]

At the end of August, it was reported that Takakeishō intended to take part in the September tournament, giving himself a chance to emerge from kadoban status. In his preparation, he faced Ōzeki Kirishima and newly-promoted ōzeki Hōshōryū, winning 3 times in four matches.[50] On the eleventh day of the September tournament, he recorded an eighth victory over sekiwake Wakamotoharu, thus saving his rank for the seventh time in total.[51] Going into the final day, Takakeishō had a record of ten wins and four losses, one win behind the leader Atamifuji. While Atamifuji lost his final match, Takakeishō beat Daieishō to set up a playoff between himself and Atamifuji, with both finishing on identical 11–4 records. Takakeishō won the playoff by slapping down his opponent shortly after the tachi-ai, clinching his fourth tournament championship.[52] He became the second ōzeki to win a championship having sat out the previous tournament, following Chiyotaikai in 2003.[53]

Takakeishō had a chance to be promoted to yokozuna with the condition of winning a high-level championship in the November tournament. However, his hopes for promotion became slim after he suffered his third loss on Day 8. He concluded the November tournament with a 9–6 score.[54]

After winning two out of three matches at the start of the January 2024 tournament, Takakeishō withdrew from competition citing a pinched nerve. According to his stablemaster Tokiwayama, the neck condition worsened after his Day 2 bout against Atamifuji. He added that Takakeishō himself requested to withdraw from the tournament, and that there were no plans for him to re-enter. It was the eleventh time that Takakeishō withdrew from a sumo tournament. It was also the eighth time Takakeishō would wrestle under kadoban ōzeki status.[55][56] In preparation for the tournament, Takakeishō's physical condition cast doubt on his participation, as the ōzeki failed to show up for training the very week the tournament began.[57] When questioned, however, his master Tokiwayama declared that Takakeishō intended to take part in the tournament.[58] Although Takakeishō escaped demotion on Day 13 by recording an eighth win over fellow ōzeki Kotonowaka,[59] he withdrew from the tournament the following day as, per a statement from his stablemaster, he injured his right pectoral muscle in the process.[60] Later that same month, he withdrew from regional tours, giving details of his injuries and revealing that he hadn't recovered from his pinched nerve.[61]

Fighting style[edit]

Takakeishō specializes in pushing and thrusting techniques (tsuki/oshi). He regularly wins by oshi-dashi (push out) and hataki-komi (slap down). His tendency to avoid yotsu grappling techniques and throws has been attributed by some sumo commentators to his relatively short arms. It was noted however that he expanded his repertoire somewhat during his January 2023 tournament victory, winning two matches by kotenage (armlock throw) and clinching the championship with a sukuinage (beltless arm throw).[41]

Personal life[edit]

In August 2020 Takakeishō announced his engagement to fashion model Yukina Chiba. She is the daughter of former ōzeki Hokuten'yū.[62] During the press conference celebrating the achievement of his third tournament, it was revealed that he had a son with his wife.[63]

Career record[edit]

Takakeishō Mitsunobu[6]
Year January
Hatsu basho, Tokyo
March
Haru basho, Osaka
May
Natsu basho, Tokyo
July
Nagoya basho, Nagoya
September
Aki basho, Tokyo
November
Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka
2014 x x x x (Maezumo) West Jonokuchi #18
7–0
Champion

 
2015 East Jonidan #10
7–0
Champion

 
East Sandanme #18
5–2
 
East Makushita #55
6–1
 
West Makushita #27
4–3
 
West Makushita #21
6–1–PPP
 
West Makushita #7
3–4
 
2016 West Makushita #13
4–3
 
East Makushita #9
7–0
Champion

 
East Jūryō #13
11–4
 
West Jūryō #6
6–9
 
East Jūryō #9
10–5
 
West Jūryō #3
12–3
Champion

 
2017 East Maegashira #12
7–8
 
East Maegashira #13
11–4
F
West Maegashira #7
11–4
 
West Maegashira #1
5–10
 
West Maegashira #5
9–6
O
West Maegashira #1
11–4
O
2018 East Komusubi #1
5–10
 
West Maegashira #3
3–8–4
 
West Maegashira #10
10–5
 
West Maegashira #3
10–5
 
West Komusubi #1
9–6
 
East Komusubi #1
13–2
FO
2019 East Sekiwake #1
11–4
T
East Sekiwake #1
10–5
T
East Ōzeki #2
3–4–8
 
East Ōzeki #2
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15
West Sekiwake #1
12–3–P
 
East Ōzeki #2
9–6
 
2020 East Ōzeki #1
11–4
 
East Ōzeki #1
7–8
 
East Ōzeki #1
Tournament Cancelled
0–0–0
East Ōzeki #1
8–4–3
 
West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 
East Ōzeki #1
13–2–P
 
2021 East Ōzeki #1
2–8–5
 
East Ōzeki #2
10–5
 
West Ōzeki #1
12–3–P
 
West Ōzeki #1
1–2–12
 
West Ōzeki #1
8–7
 
West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 
2022 East Ōzeki #1
1–3–11
 
West Ōzeki #2
8–7
 
West Ōzeki #2
8–7
 
East Ōzeki #1
11–4
 
East Ōzeki #1
10–5
 
East Ōzeki #1
12–3–PP
 
2023 West Ōzeki #1
12–3
 
West Ōzeki #1
3–4–8
 
West Ōzeki #1
8–7
 
East Ōzeki #1
Sat out due to injury
0–0–15
West Ōzeki #1
11–4–P
 
East Ōzeki #1
9–6
 
2024 West Ōzeki #2
2–2–11
 
East Ōzeki #2
8–6–1
 
x x x x
Record given as wins–losses–absencies    Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: =Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s)
Divisions: MakuuchiJūryōMakushitaSandanmeJonidanJonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: YokozunaŌzekiSekiwakeKomusubiMaegashira

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Takakeisho overcame scandal, many challenges to win 1st grand sumo title". Mainichi Shimbun. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ "SUMO/ Father's push for feeding frenzies makes winner of Takakeisho". Asahi Shimbun. 26 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-01-27. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Fall tournament topics pg 108". Baseball Magazine. May 2014.
  4. ^ "Kyushu tournament topics pg 69". Baseball Magazine. Dec 2014.
  5. ^ "Takanohana stable hope takes jonokuchi title". Nikkan sports. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Takakeisho Mitsunobu Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  7. ^ "Takanohana stable's Sato takes juryo title, promoted to makuuchi, will take ring name of Takakeisho". Sports Sunday. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Goeido remains alone at the top in Tokyo". The Mainichi. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Hakuho finishes year strong". Yomiuri Shimbun. 26 November 2017.
  10. ^ "2018 January Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Topics". Japan Sumo Association. January 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018.
  11. ^ "SUMO/ Takakeisho wins 1st championship at Kyushu basho at only 22". Asahi Shimbun. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Tamawashi secures first title by beating Endo on final day". The Japan Times. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Perfect Hakuho captures 42nd title". 24 March 2019 – via Japan Times Online.
  14. ^ "SUMO/ Hakuho outduels Kakuryu in tough final to claim record 42nd title". Asahi Shimbun. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Sumo: Arm injury sours Hakuho's record-extending 42nd title". The Mainichi. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Sumo: Takakeisho promoted to ozeki, sport's 2nd-highest rank". Kyodo News. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Sumo: Promise to parents keeps new ozeki Takakeisho pushing forward". Kyodo News. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho promoted to ozeki, sport's 2nd-highest rank". The Mainichi. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Sumo: New ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Summer tourney due to injury". The Mainichi. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  20. ^ "SUMO/ Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from tournament, this time for good". Asahi Shimbun. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  21. ^ "Takakeisho pulls out of Nagoya Basho". July 4, 2019 – via Japan Times Online.
  22. ^ "Takakeisho moves ahead of the pack". The Japan Times. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "Sumo: Mitakeumi wins 2nd title after sekiwake playoff with Takakeisho". Kyodo News.
  24. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho's triumphant ozeki return spoiled by injury". The Mainichi. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  25. ^ "Sumo: Kakuryu tops rankings as Takakeisho makes ozeki return". Kyodo News. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Sumo: Hakuho puts final winning touch on 43rd championship". The Mainichi. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  27. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho out of July tourney after avoiding demotion". The Mainichi. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho gunning for yokozuna nod after winning 2nd title". Kyodo. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  29. ^ "SUMO/ Takakeisho takes playoff for first tournament win as ozeki". Asashi Shimbun. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Lone Ozeki rises to the occasion". NHK World-Japan. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho all but out of yokozuna hunt with 4th loss in row". Kyodo. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from New Year meet". Kyodo. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Sumo: Terunofuji beats Takakeisho to win 4th career championship". The Mainichi. May 23, 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Nagoya basho with neck injury". Kyodo News. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Terunofuji beats Takanosho, Takakeisho drops to 0-3 on Day 3". Japan Times. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Sumo: Yokozuna Terunofuji secures 1st perfect record to celebrate 6th title". Kyodo News. 28 November 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ^ a b "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho out of New Year basho with sprained ankle". Kyodo News. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Sumo: Sekiwake Wakatakakage seizes share of Osaka tourney lead". Kyodo News. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Takakeisho enters New Year Basho with golden opportunity". Japan Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  40. ^ "Sadogatake says it is tough to see yokozuna promotion for Takakeisho after losing this way". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 19 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Sumo: Lone ozeki Takakeisho wins New Year meet, 3rd Emperor's Cup". Kyodo News. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Sumo: New Year champ Takakeisho sets sights on yokozuna promotion". Kyodo News. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  43. ^ "Sumo: Tobizaru upsets lone ozeki Takakeisho on Spring meet Day 1". Kyodo News. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  44. ^ a b c "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho withdraws from Spring Tournament". Kyodo News. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  45. ^ "大関おおぜき 景勝けいしょう春場所はるばしょ休場きゅうじょう 横綱よこづな大関おおぜき不在ふざい場所ばしょ昭和しょうわ以降いこうはつ". NHK (in Japanese). 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  46. ^ "Sumo: Midorifuji leads as tournament is left without ozeki, yokozuna". Kyodo News. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  47. ^ "大関おおぜき景勝けいしょうがしこしたを「光信みつのぶ」から本名ほんみょうの「貴信きしん」に改名かいめい 心機一転しんきいってんカド番かどばん脱出だっしゅつねらう". Sports Hōchi. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  48. ^ "景勝けいしょう カド番かどばん脱出だっしゅつ! りょうひざケガも大関おおぜき地位ちいまもる 恩師おんし埼玉さいたまさかえだか山田やまだ監督かんとく本当ほんとうすごいよ」". Spornichi Annex. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho to skip Nagoya tourney due to knee troubles". Kyodo News. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  50. ^ "景勝けいしょう、1ねんぶりに3大関おおぜきとなる土俵どひょうに「ファンがたのしみにしてくれてますから。いい相撲すもうを」【大相撲おおずもう】". Chunichi Sports. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  51. ^ "景勝けいしょう度目どめのかどばん脱出だっしゅつ安心あんしんかん皆無かいむ結果けっかすべて」左腕さわんにするしぐさも「大丈夫だいじょうぶ」". Nikkan Sports. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  52. ^ "Sumo: Takakeisho wins 4th Emperor's Cup after playoff against Atamifuji". Asahi Shimbun. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  53. ^ "Takakeisho says feeling of responsibility helped him win title". Japan Times. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  54. ^ "Sumo: Kirishima beats Takakeisho, claims 2nd title with 2-win margin". Kyodo News. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  55. ^ "大関おおぜき景勝けいしょうが4にちから休場きゅうじょう頚椎けいついしょうせい神経しんけいしょうで2週間しゅうかん程度ていど安静あんせい加療かりょうようする」との診断しんだんしょ提出ていしゅつ" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Sumo: Ozeki Takakeisho pulls out of New Year meet with neck injury". Kyodo News. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  57. ^ "かどばん景勝けいしょう一門いちもん連合れんごう稽古けいこ姿見すがたみせず 常盤山ときわやま親方おやかた大事だいじって」春場所はるばしょ問題もんだいないと強調きょうちょう" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  58. ^ "景勝けいしょう春場所はるばしょ出場しゅつじょうへ 常盤山ときわやま親方おやかた明言めいげん「もちろんる」" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  59. ^ "しん大関おおぜききんわかは4はい 優勝ゆうしょうあらそいから脱落だつらく 景勝けいしょうカド番かどばん脱出だっしゅつ" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  60. ^ "大関おおぜき景勝けいしょう休場きゅうじょう 大相撲おおずもう春場所はるばしょ". Jiji Press (in Japanese). 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  61. ^ "みこと富士ふじはる巡業じゅんぎょう休場きゅうじょう みぎ足首あしくび負傷ふしょうして出場しゅつじょう春場所はるばしょで110ねんぶりしん入幕にゅうまくV 不振ふしんだった大関おおぜき霧島きりしまらも休場きゅうじょう". Sports Hochi. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  62. ^ "景勝けいしょうもと大関おおぜききた天佑てんゆう次女じじょ婚約こんやく 「ジャンクスポーツ」で共演きょうえん". Sanspo (in Japanese). 30 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  63. ^ "景勝けいしょうがパパになっていた 優勝ゆうしょうにお披露目ひろめし「自分じぶん力士りきしだったということがのこるとおもった」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

External links[edit]